Wednesday, August 10, 2011

A couple of samples for gift deliveries - blue and white were the colors specified. I made one traditional arrangement and one more contemporary. For the first I used blue delphinium, white Polar Star roses, Bells of Ireland, thistle and white lisianthus. For the second, I used a fan of green berzillia greens and white dendrobium orchids, with thistles nestled in and a small aralia leaf tucked in front.

Friday, August 5, 2011

Today I had coffee with my friend Loi who owns Tone on Tone, my favorite antique store in Bethesda. Beautiful Swedish painted furniture mixed with pieces from Europe and fabulous accessories. It is the most wonderful store to visit and very inspiring.

I made this arrangement to take over - a tower of overlapping eucalyptus leaves inserted horizontally into a block of foam all the way to the top. I put some poppy pods, nigella pods in between some of the layers on the sides and a nosegay of Vivienne white spray roses on the top.

I am happy to report that both Loi and his partner Tom, liked this piece and felt like it suited their aesthetic. Since I a huge fan of theirs, I was thrilled.

I made this decorated hair comb for Jessica. She is getting married next week and has in interest in vintage accessories. I have a big collection of vintage hats and millinery flowers and rhinestone pins bought over the years at estate and yard sales. I take them apart and reuse them for projects and this is the latest one.

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Just French for fancy trim. I am designing for a wedding in late Sept and looking for ways to glam things up a bit in an elegant way so I went out to Langley Park to Sarah Fabrics. Sarah buys odd lots of fabric in NY and has wonderful taste and a truly international clientele. I found these wonderful trims stashed away behind a counter and had to buy a bit of each one so I could try things out. There are so many applications for these - decorations on bouquets, around vases, sashes for the bridal party, headbands, etc.

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

I am continuing to work with the tower of horsetail and came up with this woven grass piece projecting out from the front of the piece. I like the detail of this idea and will work on some more ways to enhance it.

It was Ned's 60th birthday party last week at the National Women's Democratic Club. I made the table arrangements and 2 large pieces that helped divide the large room into a more manageable space. I used sunflowers and my own garden Peegee hydrangeas for the large pieces and a combination of white flowers for the centerpieces - white summer tulips, white lisianthus, varigated ivy and white peegees. It was a pretty and cool look on a very hot summer night.

Slow Flowers Member

Chapel Designer

Independent Floral Designers Association

Ellen Seagraves

I am a Washington DC area floral designer with over 15 years of experience. I have a BFA in Weaving and Textile Design and often incorporate elements of those disciplines into my work. I work in a wide range of styles to suit the various needs of clients.
I am a proud member of both the Chapel Designers and the Independent Floral Designers Association and am rated on Wedding Wire.
As a student of Ikebana, I often apply those design forms to my own work. I work on my own and with a number of other designers and students to expand my artistic sensibilities.
My arrangements have been featured in a large number of venues including The White House, the French Embassy Cultural Center, The National Botanic Garden, and Blair House. Contact me at 301.675.1728 or esea654@gmail.com. I am also on Facebook at Ellen Seagraves Chic Florals.